Ricky Ponting to reshuffle North Melbourne side after Drew Petrie withdrawal in charity cricket game against Hawthorn in Launceston

RULED OUT: Mowbray's former Australian captain Ricky Ponting farewells his North Melbourne cricket teammate Drew Petrie, who was ineligible for the charity cricket game after being drafted to the West Coast Eagles.

North Melbourne veteran Drew Petrie’s footy days at the club was over, but team captain Ricky Ponting still revered his cricket prowess.

But the Australian great has been rocked just days before announcing his squad for Ricky’s Biggest Game of Cricket charity clash by Petrie’s defection out west.

“To tell you the truth, I’m feeling pretty flat today,” he deadpanned over West Coast snapping up Petrie in the AFL rookie draft on Monday.

Petrie hit an unbeaten unbeaten 38, included 4 sixes and 3 fours, back in 2014.

“Drewy was going to be our main go-to batter and that leaves a huge hole in our planning. But seriously I am rapt for Drewy,” Ponting said.

The Kangaroos will name its squad on Saturday to face Hawthorn on January 27.

“I have someone in mind and if we get him over the line, Flem and the Hawthorn boys will be on the back foot straight away,” Ponting said.

Proceeds from the Ponting Foundation game in Launceston will be distributed to the state’s cancer and health related projects.